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Many among the vigil's crowd had been personally affected by the tragedy that had unfolded the night before.

Adam Clarke, an English student from Liverpool, spent the evening desperately trying to contact friends in Manchester.

"I know people who were at the concert," he said. "I was up all night trying to get in touch with them. They are both safe

"It's frightening really, so close to your home town. It's about coming together and helping."

Students Adam Clarke (left) and Hugh Wright shared their thoughts following the Manchester attack

His friend Hugh Wright, a Classics student from Manchester, was in disbelief at what had happened. He said: "We do need to grieve to help process it. Why would you go after teenage girls. What have they ever done?"